STRATFORD, CT - Northeast Horticultural Services is proud to announce it has been awarded a Professional Communications Award from the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). More than 20 years old, this program honors marketing and communication excellence within the tree care industry.

Northeast Horticultural Services is being recognized for the Butterfly Garden and Bug Hotel the company donated and installed at the Connecticut Beardsley Zoo in the fall of 2017. Believing in the Zoo’s wildlife and conservation efforts, Stacey Marcell, owner of Northeast Horticultural Services wanted to bring a unique exhibit that would be beautiful, educational, and sustainable. Her vision for a butterfly garden and bug hotel has materialized into an inviting attraction the community will enjoy for years to come.

The Butterfly Garden includes a curved path made of bluestone dust, bordered by plants including butterfly bush, Monarda, Salvia, Asters, Coreopsis, Black-eyed Susan and more. A bug hotel is located at the end of the path to encourage pollinators to establish permanent residency. Boulders were added as basking stones, where butterflies can warm themselves. Marcell donated all the supplies and labor to install these beautiful exhibits. The company will also the monthly maintenance for the garden.

TCIA evaluated each entry on the overall appearance, content quality, adherence to American National Standards Institute and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, and its success in achieving the company’s marketing and communications goals.

“It is a wonderful feeling to win such a prestigious award. My husband and partner, Wilbert Frazier and I worked so hard along with our dedicated team to make this project a reality. It makes me smile even more to know it will be enjoyed by the tens of thousands that will see it all year long at the Connecticut Beardsley Zoo,” says Marcell.

Stacey has been generously displaying her strong support for the Zoo since 2008, when she donated her time and resources to revitalize the Zoo’s Wetlands Aviary.

TCIA honored Stacey at an awards ceremony at the annual Winter Management Conference, held in Maui, Hawaii, on February 4-8, 2018.